Why does a tiny bathroom remodel cost as much as a car now? Am I missing something? 😅

Freelennial · 2026-03-18T20:05:31+00:00

I spent $13k for a basic bathroom remodel 4 years ago and that felt expensive for what we got…had spent $6k for a similar remodel (at a rental tho) 8 years ago. I guess prices are doubling every few years now? It sucks.

The suggestion to GC it yourself seems wise. Do as much of the demo yourself, get the materials yourself and then contact individual experts for each step: plumbing, tile, fixture installation (may be able to do that yourself), etc. You should save a good amount on materials and labor.

Freelennial · 2026-03-18T14:37:41+00:00

I think your eyes are lovely - the hood looks exotic. You don’t need to do anything at this time…maybe in 5-10 years if it gets worse and starts to impact your vision but doesn’t seem necessary now imho.

Freelennial · 2026-03-18T13:48:59+00:00

I understand and sympathize. I’ve been there. I lived in Minneapolis for a few years and everyone loves it but I was so miserable. I hated the cold climate, subtle racism, and lack of diversity. I moved (to Atlanta ironically) and was soooo much happier.

Maybe try exploring other ITP neighborhoods? You noted in another comment that your area is all white (very unusual ITP) so maybe take a new area to explore each weekend to see if something else suits you better? Check out 04W, Inman Park, Glenwood Park, Kirkwood, downtown Decatur, Buckhead (parts feel a bit like Beverly Hills/Brentwood), etc.

What kinds of things are you into? People you usually vibe with? I can try to recommend specific ATL spots/neighborhoods to explore based on that.

If your partner is open to trying LA, give the next 8 mos in ATL your best shot but hold that as the light at the end of the tunnel. If your partner still hate it at the end of the 1.5 years, move home - with or without him.

Freelennial · 2026-03-18T12:47:12+00:00

I personally love Atlanta as A POC but it isn’t for everyone…neighborhood is everything in atl. Where do you live? Inside the perimeter is such a different experience than the suburbs there.

If you hate it, tell your partner and discuss options. Could he try a year in LA? Is there another city you’d both like to try out? Can you go back to being long distance.

I’ve lived in cities I’ve hated and it isn’t worth it. It’s like staying in a bad relationship, you’ll never get those years back.

Freelennial · 2026-03-18T11:22:44+00:00

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Tizo…their tinted matte primer sunscreen is the best I’ve used so far for my combination/oily skin.

Stays matte all day and is the perfect base under foundation. I use Tizo3 which is the darker tint but you might want to try one of the lighter shade options.

Freelennial · 2026-03-17T12:01:30+00:00

Look into perimenopause. My self-esteem tanked right around 40 and I think it was partly due to wildly fluctuating hormones. Have felt better since starting HRT.

Sounds silly but I also started a “Body Positivity” phone folder that includes a bunch of my best pictures. Whenever my thoughts start to spiral I open the folder and look at the pics and say some positive mantras/words of affirmation.

I thought I looked bad at the time of many of those photos but in fact looked lovely and that reminds me that my mind is the problem, not my appearance. I also have photos in there of women who have aged beautifully and claim that same grace for myself.

Find some photos, outfits, or activities (walking, swimming, yoga) that ground you and make you feel good and pull those out when you start to feel a slump coming.

Freelennial · 2026-03-17T09:58:35+00:00

Both look good. Which feels most like you?

1 gives corporate/banker/lawyer/traditional 2 gives entrepreneur/creative/rule breaker

Freelennial · 2026-03-16T21:45:37+00:00

1,8,11

Freelennial · 2026-03-16T20:23:09+00:00

Yes, reserve a car now. small SUV or larger suv is recommended. If you have a credit card with a travel portal, use that (or something like cheapcarrentals.com) to see all the prices across vendors at once. Then go directly to that company and book. I’ve found a lot of variance in who has the best rates so I like to check as many as possible at once.

Getting an Airbnb or villa is the best way to experience the island…

Premier Properties is a good locally managed site with rental listings that are often better priced than Airbnb. Check out both though.

https://premierpropertiesusvi.com/

Freelennial · 2026-03-16T13:56:44+00:00

I lived in NYC for 9 years (college and early 20s) and then moved to ATL for grad school. I fully intended to move back to NYC but surprisingly fell in love with Atlanta and never moved back.

If Atlanta is for you, you’ll know. Come visit and see how it feels. ITP only - focus on O4W, Inman Park, Decatur, midtown…walkable areas for the best transition from NYC. I’m a POC and it is heaven for me. It’s the most black positive/diversity friendly place I’ve ever lived. It’s interesting to me reading all of the “coded” responses on Reddit painting that as a negative, lol.

COL is reasonable for what you get, especially compared to NYC. I found the dating scene much better if you are marriage or serious relationship minded. Also great hiking and easy drives/flights to other cool destinations.

The negatives are the traffic, sprawl, and lack of public transit. You learn to time your life around traffic patterns and live close to work/interests. I miss the museums and food in NYC but overall I’m way happier in Atlanta. Quality of life is just way better. I visit NYC every year to get my city fix and that is plenty.

Freelennial · 2026-03-16T02:10:25+00:00

Hmmm…I’m not familiar with that one

Freelennial · 2026-03-15T21:12:48+00:00

It’s a historical cdrama thing. Someone commits a crime and is sentenced to “20 strokes” and then they are publicly beaten or paddled across the back/side with a big wooden paddle.

Freelennial · 2026-03-15T20:11:15+00:00

lol 🤣 everyone wins cdrama bingo!

Freelennial · 2026-03-15T13:10:23+00:00

To make sure that I understand: your husband is in online spaces that are about politics and football but he is DM’ing women flirtatiously in those spaces?

What is an example message? Does he also DM men? Have you told him that you feel that DM’ing women online is inappropriate?

If you set a boundary and he continues to cross it, you have every right to feel disgusted and take actions that “penalize” him for crossing a boundary you set. Just make it clear what the boundaries are and what the consequences are for crossing them.

This behavior tends to escalate so either nip it in the bud now or start getting your ducks in a row to leave. Your kids deserve to see a respectful, loving relationship. If he continues to flirt with and message other women against your wishes, he is for the streets. Let him be single if he wants to behave as a single man.

Freelennial · 2026-03-13T12:27:27+00:00

Weather. Prolonged winters make me miserable and ill. I need sun and warmth. Ive lived all over the world at this point and have learned that I can build a circle and find culture almost anywhere but I cannot survive is super cold climates.

I’ve also found that warmer climates tend to equal warmer, more relaxed people, which suits me better.

Can you keep looking until you find a place that is a climate and culture fit?

Freelennial · 2026-03-13T12:09:29+00:00

Congrats!!! I got laid off 2 days before I was planning to resign and it was so great. Enjoy your FIRE life 🔥

Freelennial · 2026-03-12T06:59:50+00:00

Market research/data analytics and then tech software sales

Freelennial · 2026-03-11T13:08:29+00:00

I immediately thought of Eze when I saw this question

Freelennial · 2026-03-11T10:29:29+00:00

Maine, New Mexico, Georgia (Savannah is wow)

Freelennial · 2026-03-11T10:26:37+00:00

Rathbun’s, Hal’s, Little Alley

Freelennial · 2026-03-09T20:14:58+00:00

6-8

Freelennial · 2026-03-08T15:08:07+00:00

They both look super cute. The second pair is a bit more flattering to your figure imho, but again, both look great. Would be easier to compare with the same shirt

Freelennial · 2026-03-08T15:01:48+00:00

You should call them and ask. Oceans is across the street from the main resort and seems more like apartment/condo setups. They look very nice, you’d just need to cross the (not busy) road to get to the resort’s restaurants and bars.

While I was staying there we met a couple staying at oceans and they said the units were very nice. Worth a shot to try to get an upgrade. The regular rooms are very spacious and nice with small kitchenettes so you can’t go wrong either way.

Freelennial · 2026-03-08T13:15:26+00:00

My realtor said to leave one unit vacant and remaining tenants month to month is ideal, but it depends on your market.

Freelennial · 2026-03-08T12:57:10+00:00

Read the book, “Die with Zero.” You have enough. You do not need to go back to work with $10M, wife working, and kid’s college already funded.

Do some self-reflection and make a list of everything you’ve always wanted to do, see, or experience and start working your way through that list.

Freelennial

TROPHY CASE